Page 9

Scarlett

I stay in the downstairs bathroom until I hear Elijah leave, closing my eyes when I hear the door slam shut. I let out a shaky breath as I stay there, staring at my reflection for a moment before I leave the bathroom, just as there’s a knock on the door.

I stop in my tracks as Grandma Amelia exits the kitchen, giving me a small smile as she opens the door. I’m about to step back into the bathroom but when I pick up Liam’s scent, I stop, wondering what he’s doing here.

“Hey Mrs Westwood, is Scarlett here? I wanted to-”

“Yes, yes, she’s here but we’re leaving soon. So don’t be too long.”

I exhale, not really wanting to talk to anyone, but this is Liam. I walk down the hall until he can see me. A smile crosses his face, and my attention falls to the bouquet he’s holding in his hand. Red roses.

“I just wanted to drop by to see how you are. I’m glad you’re feeling better,” he says, holding up the bouquet as if it’s a peace offering.

“Thanks…” I say, motioning with my head towards the dining room. I lead the way in, and he follows, before he holds the flowers out again. I take them, smelling the roses. I don’t know what to say. “Why are you here?”

Shit, he already told me.

“To see how you are,” he repeats with a smile, “I’m glad you’re ok, Scarlett. I was worried about you.”

The concern in his warm brown eyes makes me feel a pang of sadness. Why couldn’t I fall for someone like him? I could have lived a much less complicated life…

“I uh, I won’t keep you long, but all the best for today. Not that you need the luck. Justice will be served.”

I nod, “Yeah, I guess. We’ll see,” I answer quietly.

“Well, I always knew you were incredible. I’m proud of your self-defence skills, you were always my favourite warrior.” He gives me a thumbs up, and this time I smile slightly.

“Thanks, Liam. Not just for these or your words, but for being you.”

He runs his fingers through his hair, chuckling slightly, and I raise an eyebrow. Is he shy?

Before I can even tease him or anything Mama pops her head in.

“Hello, Liam. Ready, honey? We need to go.” Her voice is gentle, and I can see she’s worried about the trial.

“Hello, Luna, I’ll be off too. I’ll see you soon, Scarlett.” He raises his hand almost as if he wanted to do something then drops it, shoving it into the pocket of his jeans.

“Thanks,” I reply, raising my fist in offering.

He smiles slightly as he bumps his fist with mine. Our eyes meet for a moment before he steps back and gives me one final smile before leaving.

I take a deep breath and look at Mama.

“Let’s go.”

We leave shortly after; it’s me, Mama and Grandma Amelia. I didn’t realise until now that Dad’s been absent. I frown slightly, it isn’t because of Elijah, is it? I know they all know about me and Elijah. After all, we spent the last few days together.

At least Mama hasn’t questioned it, which I am grateful for.

“Remember, don’t let anyone make you doubt yourself. Be confident,” Grandma Amelia mutters as we enter the modern packhouse and make our way to the meeting hall. The moment we step inside I falter, a swift glance around shows there’s at least fifty odd people here.

That’s way more than I was expecting. I don’t miss the hatred and accusatory looks in most of their eyes.

I wish it didn’t, but my heartbeat quickens, thudding loudly in my ears as I scan the crowd for at least some understanding expressions, suddenly feeling all alone. That is until I see Elijah standing next to Dad, arms crossed, his muscles stretching against his t-shirt. My stomach flutters, despite my own stubbornness. I feel calmness wash over me like a soft breeze at just the sight of him. Even if he has hurt me, he is still that beacon of strength in my darkest times.

His piercing blue eyes are sharp, his Alpha aura rolling off of him strongly, but when our eyes meet, he gives me the smallest of smiles. One I don’t return; I’m unable to. I look past him, my eyes landing on Dad. My eyes widen in shock, he looks a mess; his beard has grown, his hair is ruffled, and he looks exhausted. I can’t read his face, but I wonder if it’s because of what happened or because of mine and Elijah’s relationship. My stomach twists until he senses me watching, his eyes meet mine, relief washing through them as he looks me over, giving me a warm smile and a nod.

The Beta and Delta families are both here, sitting along the wall behind where the alphas stand. To my dismay, Fiona is there, tearfully crying into a napkin at the loss of her brother, and I feel a sharp stab of anger towards her.

Yes, she lost her brother, but I don’t care if it is cruel of me, I feel no remorse for the brunette. I look at the couple next to Fiona, both of whom are staring at me with resentment and rage. Adam and Meredith Williamson. Meredith stands up, knocking her chair backwards.

“You murdered our boy! I won’t let you get away with this!” she shrieks, her voice trembling with uncontrollable rage. Before anyone can react, she pulls out a gun. Aiming it at me, she pulls the trigger.

Everything seems to happen in slow motion.

A menacing snarl of pure rage coming from Elijah is the first thing I hear as my mind tries to register what is happening. Mama pushing me away, Grandma Amy cursing, Dad’s roar, commotion from those attending and then Fiona’s shriek ringing loud...

My own heart seems to stop working when I realise the bullet hasn’t made contact with me. My head snaps up as I look at Mama who is completely fine despite being pale, and I turn my head, my ears ringing when I see Elijah standing a few metres away, blocking my path.

Elijah…

A shrill whistling fills my ears as Aaron lunges for the gun, taking it from Meredith as her husband pins her down, trying to control her. Dad growls dangerously at them. The coppery smell of blood fills the air, the sound of the droplets of blood hitting the floor at Elijah’s feet, and his shaky breath make my chest tighten.

“Elijah!” I scream, coming back to reality, and run towards him at the same time as Fiona does. Elijah turns, his eyes trailing over me as if checking if I’m ok. My heart thumps violently as I look at the blood on his shirt, but he’s acting like it’s nothing.

“Elijah!” Fiona says from behind him, but he doesn’t seem to hear her, or he chooses not to, his eyes fixed on me as he stares at me. My eyes drop to the bullet lodged in his waist. He got shot because of me – for me.

“I’m fine, Red,” he whispers softly, his voice a soothing balm that tries to calm the panic rising in my chest. I place my hand on his shirt, shaking my head.

“You’re not ok! Why did you do that? You know I can heal better than you!” I shout, my eyes pained. He smirks slightly.

“Well, if it means you’ll show me this much concern, I will happily take a bullet every damn day,” he says seductively. I frown, my heart pounding as I remember the similar words I spoke to him when I was in the hospital at the Black Storm Pack. I stare into that handsome face of his, wishing he didn’t have such a powerful effect on me.

The temptation to kiss him is strong but I look away when I realise that he is gripping my hips.

“Alpha,” Fiona whimpers in concern next to him, her hand on his arm. He growls warningly, shrugging her off and casting her an icy glare.

“Sit the fuck down. You’ve got two members of your family being trialled right now, don’t become a fucking third,” he threatens, making her eyes fill with fresh tears. She looks at me, her gaze falling to Elijah’s hands that still hold me tightly around my waist, his thumb brushing against the curve of my breast. A flicker of confusion fills her eyes as she looks at me, but she doesn’t disobey him, returning to her seat.

“This will not go forgotten,” Dad says to his Delta dangerously. Adam frowns, but it’s obvious that he knows his wife fucked up.

“Of course, but let’s get down to this then, I want to know why my son was brutally murdered!” he hisses. A dangerous growl from Elijah has him looking down in submission.

“Let go,” I say quietly, not wanting to pull away roughly in case his wound gets worse.

“I don’t want to…” he counters quietly. I look at him. Is he openly flirting with me now?

“Please… we’ll talk later,” I plead and he smirks.

“Deal.” He steps away, lifts his top, and extends his claws, shoving them into his wound and making me flinch as he pries the bullet out and tosses it to the ground without even batting an eyelid.

He winks at me before he takes my wrist and brings me to the front.

Grandma Amelia and Mama have taken their seats next to the Beta family. Grandma Amelia has a smile on her face whilst Mama looks pale after that attack.

“So, let’s start with some facts,” Elijah begins, his voice cold. “Red… remove that bandage.” I look at him, my stomach twisting before I nod. Apart from a few, not many know. But now… now everyone is about to.

Everyone is watching me as I remove the bandage slowly, feeling my heart tightening. I’m trying not to shake as I reveal the ugly mark that stains my neck, surrounded by black pulsating veins ebbed along my skin, bare for everyone in the room to see.